Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program
What is TWIC?
TWIC is a common identification credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of regulated facilities and vessels, and all mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials. TSA will issue workers a tamper-resistant “Smart Card” containing the worker’s biometric (fingerprint template) to allow for a positive link between the card itself and the individual.
How will the TWIC be used?
During the initial rollout of TWIC, workers will present their cards to authorized personnel, who will compare the holder to his or her photo, inspect security features on the TWIC and evaluate the card for signs of tampering. The Coast Guard will verify TWICs when conducting vessel and facility inspections and during spot checks using hand-held scanners, ensuring credentials are valid. A second rulemaking, anticipated in calendar year 2007, will propose enhanced access control requirements, including the use of electronic readers by certain vessel and facility owners and operators.
What is the implementation schedule?
TWIC enrollment will be phased in over an 18 month period. The TWIC rollout plan will be posted to TSA’s web site as soon as it becomes available. Compliance for facilities will be phased in by Captain of the Port, or COTP, zone and the compliance date for each zone will be published via notice in the Federal Register at least 90 days in advance. The top 5 ports in the U.S. are supposed to begin accepting applications on or about 26 March and be in use by early July.
Who must get a TWIC?
An estimated 750,000 individuals will be required to obtain a TWIC. This includes Coast Guard-credentialed merchant mariners, port facility employees, longshoremen, truck drivers, and others requiring unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act.
What can disqualify me from getting a TWIC?
An individual who lacks lawful presence and certain immigration status in the United States, has a connection to terrorist activity, has been determined to lack mental capacity, or was convicted of the certain crimes will be ineligible for a TWIC.
What if I do not meet the qualification standards?
All applicants have the opportunity to appeal an Initial Determination TSA makes that an applicant does not meet the standards. TSA provides applicants the reason for the Initial Determination and instructions on how to appeal it. If an applicant knows that he or she does not meet the standards concerning criminal activity or mental capacity, or is in Temporary Protected Status at the time of enrollment, the applicant may apply for a waiver.
What are the disqualifying crimes?
A comprehensive list of crimes will be posted on TSA’s web site and is contained in section 1572.103 of the rule.
In summary, some convictions are disqualifying no matter when they occurred; they are espionage; sedition; treason; terrorism; a federal crime of terrorism; improper transportation of a hazardous material; unlawful possession, use, or sale of an explosive; murder; threats to a place of public use (government facility, public transportation system, or infrastructure facility); violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in which the predicate act is one of the crimes listed above, and crimes involving a transportation security incident. A transportation security incident is a security incident resulting in a significant loss of life, environmental damage, transportation system disruption, or economic disruption in a particular area. A work stoppage, or other nonviolent employee-related action, resulting from an employer-employee dispute is not a transportation security incident. Convictions for espionage, sedition, treason and terrorism are not eligible for a waiver.
Other crimes are disqualifying if conviction occurred with 7 yrs or release from incarceration occurred within 5 yrs; they are unlawful possession, use or sale of a firearm or other weapon; extortion; fraud; bribery; smuggling; immigration violations; distribution or importation of a controlled substance; arson; kidnapping or hostage taking; rape or aggravated sexual abuse; assault with intent to kill; robbery; lesser RICO crimes.
How will I be notified to get a TWIC?
Facility and vessel owners/operators are required to inform employees of their responsibility to possess a TWIC and what parts of the facility and vessel will require a TWIC for unescorted access. The intent of this requirement is for owners/operators to determine which of their employees will need a TWIC and inform those employees in enough time for them to comply with the requirements. Owners/operators are also encouraged, but not required, to provide this same information to personnel who are not facility or vessel employees, e.g. contractors, truck drivers. Coast Guard Captains of the Port will also be working with the local Area Maritime Security Committees to communicate enrollment center locations and scheduling, as well as TWIC requirements and compliance dates.
What is the enrollment process?
The enrollment process consists of the following components: optional pre-enrollment, enrollment, fee collection, security threat assessment and notification of the results, and issuance of the TWIC to the applicant. During enrollment, applicants will be required to visit the enrollment center to provide biographic information and a complete set of fingerprints, sit for a digital photograph, and pay the enrollment fee. Regardless of whether the applicant pre-enrolls, the applicant must bring identity verification documents and in the case of aliens, immigration documents to the enrollment center so that they can be scanned into the electronic enrollment record. All applicants must sign a disclosure form when they enroll, by which they agree to provide personal information for the security threat assessment and credential. The list of required documents an applicant must present will be posted on this Web site.
What documentation is required for a TWIC?
Applicants must provide the appropriate documents in order to verify their identity such as an unexpired U.S. passport; an MMD; or a drivers’ license plus a secondary document. The complete listing of acceptable ID verification documents will be available on this Web site.
Where do I go to enroll?
TSA will use a combination of fixed and mobile enrollment stations to make the enrollment process as efficient as possible for applicants and owners or operators. The enrollment locations and directions to these sites will be available on the TWIC website at TSA will use a combination of fixed and mobile enrollment stations to make the enrollment process as efficient as possible for applicants and owners or operators. The enrollment locations and directions to these sites will be available on the TWIC website at: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm
How long does enrollment take?
The enrollment process is expected to take approximately 15 minutes.
How much will port workers be charged for a TWIC?
The fee for TWIC will be between $139 and $159 and the card is good for 5 years. The contract for the enrollment provider will be awarded soon. Once the contract is awarded the final fee will be set and announced via Federal Register Notice. Workers with current, comparable background checks (HAZMAT, merchant mariner document (MMD), certificate of registry, or merchant mariner license, or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) will receive a discounted fee between $107 and $127.
What does the security threat assessment consist of?
The assessment includes checks against criminal history records, terrorist watch lists, and immigration status. If no adverse information is disclosed, TSA typically completes a security threat assessment in less than 10 days. However, processing time increases for an applicant with a criminal history or other disqualifying information, and is further lengthened if the applicant initiates an appeal or waiver. This security threat assessment is the same for those applying for, transferring, or renewing a HAZMAT endorsement (HME) on their state-issued commercial drivers licenses (CDLs).
Will TSA rollout TWIC to all ports immediately? How long before this card is in use for access control nationwide?
No. The initial enrollment will be phased, based on priority (port size, volume, location, number of employees, etc.). This information will be posted on this Web site when available. We anticipate it will take 18 months to vet and issue credentials to the estimated 750,000 workers who will be required to obtain a TWIC.
What technologies are being used in the national rollout?
The TWIC will be a Smart Card (i.e., a card with a small integrated circuit chip embedded in the card) and will contain the following technologies:
- Dual Interface Integrated Circuit Chips (ICC) – a small computer chip that can be read by either inserting the card in a slot in a “contact” card reader; or, holding the card within 10 centimeters of a “contactless” card reader
- Magnetic Stripe – commonly found on the back of credit cards; read by “swiping” the card through a magnetic stripe card reader
- Linear Bar Code – commonly used to quickly identify items by scanning the codes with an optical reader—i.e. scanning grocery items at a checkout counter
